• Abduct wife, cook, demand N100m ransom • Former gov calls for his unconditional release
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen identified as herdsmen have reportedly attacked a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Mr Terwase Orbunde, abducting his wife and house help.
Barely 24 hours, the gunmen have demanded the sum of N100 million for their release.
Orbunde was the Chief-of-Staff to the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.
Chief Ortom, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Terver Akase, described the attack as shocking and unfortunate, and urged the assailants to free the kidnapped victims unconditionally.
The former governor equally appealed to security agencies to ensure that Orbunde’s wife and the domestic staff regained their freedom unhurt.
Chief Ortom, who earlier visited Orbunde in hospital in the early hours of Saturday where he is receiving treatment, prayed for his healing and safety of his family.
Orbunde was also a governorship aspirant of the APC in the 2023 general elections.
According to a statement by his close aide, Tahav Agerzua, the attack took place on Friday, April 12, 2024, close to the Genocide Cemetery along Mobile Barracks-Welfare Quarters Road in Makurdi, the state capital at about six pm.
The former Chief-of-Staff reportedly escaped with gunshot in his right arm while the attackers whisked away Mrs Abigail Kashimana Orbunde, and her house help, Patience Ogute.
It was learnt that the trio had gone to inspect the weeding of their farm located close to the road when the attack happened.
It was further learnt that after the inspection of the work and payment of the workers, five gunmen suddenly attacked the trio as they walked back to their car. The gunmen opened fire, hitting Orbunde in the right arm before marching him and the women into the bush.
The shooting was said to have caused the villagers and passersby to scamper for safety.
As they marched along, the former Chief-of-Staff was said to be bleeding profusely and unable to walk quickly.
The witnesses who watched from a distance said the leader of the group ordered him to walk away while they took the women to an unknown destination before some good Samaritans could take Mr Orbunde to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the gunmen have demanded N100 million ransom for the release of their captives.
Orbunde who is being treated for gunshot injuries in Makurdi a hospital, said the abductors spoke to him at about 8:30 am yesterday through his wife and house help.
He said his wife and cook were very calm when they spoke.
He revealed that during the attack which took place at about 6pm on Saturday, the gunmen spoke Fulani to themselves, but communicated with him in Hausa saying they would contact him on phone.
Orbunde said they told him that he should be prepared to send money to them, adding that if he failed to do so, they would kill his wife and cook.